Japanese Language Questions? Ask Here.

ahochaude wrote:Niko2x and you refer to me as "aho-kun"/"aho-san". *slight laughter (after thinking about it)*

Actually, I prolly have called you aho-kun, but not aho-san. (I usually have a hard time calling people younger than me -san). Would you rather be Kiyoshi-kun instead? ;)

niko2x wrote:Actually, I prolly have called you aho-kun, but not aho-san. (I usually have a hard time calling people younger than me -san). Would you rather be Kiyoshi-kun instead? ;)

I just thought it was funny, that's all. 'Cause it's like a contradiction of statement. But I don't mind being called "Aho".
(That's what I get for using that as my username :hehe: )

i hear the use of "jya" at the end of many phrases in anime and dramas....such as sore dake jya....or kokuhaku surunjya...or others i can't remember....if someone could help me clear this up it would be greatly appreciated...thanks

Well it means a lot of thing, depending on the situation!
Ja comes from Jamatta, wich means something like "see you then"or "see you later". Ja is something more like "later" or "see ya".
But Ja can also mean something like "well then...".
It a word that doesn't have a clear meaning, similar to "ne"!

kazuichikun wrote:i hear the use of "jya" at the end of many phrases in anime and dramas....such as sore dake jya....or kokuhaku surunjya...or others i can't remember....if someone could help me clear this up it would be greatly appreciated...thanks

Jya is also used in some contexts by older characters as a form of speech (samurai speech). In Okayama-ken people also use jya as part of their dialect, so:

`‚¶‚á‚æ‚ñB
...`‚Å‚·B‚Æ‚¢‚¤ˆÓBƒ—၄u“ª‚ª‚Å‚¥‚ê‚¥‚¢‚Ä‚ñ‚¶‚ái[j‚æ‚ñIv...u“ª‚ª‚Æ‚Ä‚à’É‚¢‚ñ‚Å‚·Bv

Would you care to demonstrate?

It's true they don't use "English-syllable-translated Japanese", like you said.

But you're forgetting one important thing...........THEY HAVE/USE ROMAJI!

Why don't you check topics under this section other than this one? Maybe you'll find that there are hiragana/katakana tables posted already. Not to mention links to hiragana/katakana sites.

Also, perhaps it may be easier for some to read the translation in romaji first, before we get involved with the Japanese writing system. I'm pretty confident to say that everyone learned how to speak before they began to read and write. (First language, second language, doesn't matter)

One more thing, look at the Japanese level of some people here.... Do you think that some may know how to read the explainations if it were posted in hiragana/katakana? -Right, I don't think so.
Why run before learning how to walk?

-‚»‚ꂶ‚á.@(Sorejya) ("Alright then"/Laters)

-Šð‚µ‚¢@‚©?@i‚¤‚ꂵ‚¢@‚©Hj@(ureshii ka?) (Are you happy?)

Personally, I think this way is ‚ß‚ñ‚Ç‚¤‚­‚³‚¢I (Mendoukusai!) (Humbug/pain in the ass!)

um...

Your "sig" is what I am talking about..... maybe without the kanji...replaced with furigana.

Dont be mistaken, I do know some japanese myself.

Your point on speaking first does make sense, but it is also important to read what syllables you are pronouncing. I am not saying that people should switch to straight hirigana, but some hirigana/katakana for reference so that people know what they are talking about. I think that this would improve rather than hinder the progress of people who actually wants to learn japanese as they will learn to read and speak at the same time. Also important is that this is a message board and, as such, a medium to write on. Teaching people to speak with a message board is sometimes hard or even impossible. [not to mention the pronounciation might be off even with romaji] Therefore, to give some insight for people who dont have a clue about japanese, giving them some "real" japanese writing wouldnt hurt.

Just a suggestion. No need to flame.

X10A_Freedom wrote:

um...

Your "sig" is what I am talking about..... maybe without the kanji...replaced with furigana.

Dont be mistaken, I do know some japanese myself.

Your point on speaking first does make sense, but it is also important to read what syllables you are pronouncing. I am not saying that people should switch to straight hirigana, but some hirigana/katakana for reference so that people know what they are talking about. I think that this would improve rather than hinder the progress of people who actually wants to learn japanese as they will learn to read and speak at the same time. Also important is that this is a message board and, as such, a medium to write on. Teaching people to speak with a message board is sometimes hard or even impossible. [not to mention the pronounciation might be off even with romaji] Therefore, to give some insight for people who dont have a clue about japanese, giving them some "real" japanese writing wouldnt hurt.

Just a suggestion. No need to flame.

Not flaming. Temperature is just fine. Don't mean to sound cold either.

I think you spelled "hirigana" wrong. I always thought that it was "hirAgana".

That's good for you that you know Japanese. (BTW I think for a person who knows Japanese, he/she would know how to spell HIRAGANA.)

Like you said, it's impossible for one to learn from a website. It's not lessons being given here. Rather it's just assistance in translating particular words or phrases. I see no need for typing in hirAgana/katakana on a "translating basis". As long as one knows what word they are trying to spell, they can always look it up on the chart. It's easier to have the romaji and convert to hirAgana/katakana than vice versa. Also, like you said, "Wouldn't hurt". But it wouldn't really benefit either. May confuse some who have absolutely no idea what's going on. (As I said earlier, they can always look it up on their own)

Basic speech should be implimented first. Then the reading and writing. Why try to squeeze everything in all at one time? As the beginner progresses his/her knowledge of the language, then he/she will begin to understand the why, when and how's of the writing system. One step at a time. Learning a language is timely. Can't just learn all the essentials in a one-step learning process.

If you still don't agree, why don't you start your own topic and conduct your "all in one" lessons there? Those who agree with you will follow.
That is just a suggestion as well. No offense.

That way, we can put an end to this useless and seemingly endless squabble.

That is all.

ahochaude wrote:
I think you spelled "hirigana" wrong. I always thought that it was "hirAgana". :P

so i mis-spell [i got it right before]. I did that in a hurry. :mrgreen:

X10A_Freedom wrote:

so i mis-spell [i got it right before]. I did that in a hurry. :mrgreen:

Twice this time
What was the hurry for? Had a date? :hehe: J/K




Anyways, let's end this stupid squabble and why don't you post your "all-in-one lessons" to get your point across?!

That is all

hi um i was wondering how would u say "forget it" to someone?? like ummm, "don't take my words to heart"???

Yes I'm up for talking to anyone on aim who knows a bit of Japanese. I only know a little but like to try and chat when I can. It's good practice outside of the classes I take.

my aim is funmovie if anyone feels like dropping me a hello.

cola_cherry wrote:hi um i was wondering how would u say "forget it" to someone?? like ummm, "don't take my words to heart"???

You can just say, "Wasurette".

(Forget it/Do forget [it])

o ok!! thanx!! ahochaude!!

I have a couple of questions.

1. So I swear that I've seen people say itadakimasu in contexts that don't involved food. Can someone explain when I can use this word(aside from right before eating)?

2. I hear that "jikoshoukai sasete itadakimasu" is a really polite way of introducing yourself, especially to business partners. So let's say that I'm in a job interview. And the interviewers say something like "Tell us about yourself" or "Please introduce yourself to us". What would be a good response?

Do I say "jikoshoukai sasete itadakimasu" and go on to introduce myself? Or would that phrase be redundant since they already asked me to introducted myself?

Would simply saying "Itadakimasu" and then introducing myself be a good strategy here? Or will my interviewers look at me weird and laugh because I'm not about to eat any food...... :-(


Thanks so much.

hi hi.

i will try to answer your questions to my best ability:

1. "itadakimasu" means to "humbly accept" something. therefore, if you are given food or some sort of gift, it is appropriate to say itadakimasu.

2. "jikoshoukai sasete itadakimasu"
to break it down, "jikoshoukai" means one's "self-introduction." jiko = self, and shoukai = introduction. "sasete" means "let me" and as explained above, itadakimasu means you're accepting something. so it means, roughly, "allow me to introduce myself." i haven't been to an interview for a job in japan, so i am not sure if they expect interviewees to use this phrase. but i am sure it couldn't hurt to be polite and use it. :D

and finally, if someone gives you a gift, you can say arigatou gozaimasu, of course, but saying "itadakimasu" is also another polite way of saying you will accept it.

Cool...learn something new everyday :mrgreen:

In addition to Yume's comments

1. itadaku is a humble verb meaning 'to partake' so technically could be used in a context other than eating & drinking I guess if speaking honorifically.

2. You are been asked in Keigo to give your introduction - you would not turn round and ask the interviewer to give you a self-intro, just proceed with your jikoshokai using keigo (polite form such as naninai tomoushimasu, nihongo wo benkyou shite orimasu... etc etc)

guesss the only sentences that i can say it properly in japanese is..

kimi no koto wasurenai yo...- i will never forget u..

i learn it in sos... :mrgreen:

cola_cherry wrote:hi um i was wondering how would u say "forget it" to someone?? like ummm, "don't take my words to heart"???

you could say: ‹C‚É‚µ‚È‚¢‚Å (ki ni shinaide) to mean "don't take my words to heart"

ditmercury wrote:

you could say: ‹C‚É‚µ‚È‚¢‚Å (ki ni shinaide) to mean "don't take my words to heart"

This is probably the one I hear most often, but you could also
use shinpai shinaide ii you! (don't worry its all good)

:mrgreen: